Improvement in washing-machines



- C. MlLNER.

Improvement in Washing Machines.

NO. 123,354. Patented Feb. 6,1872.

mm J/Qw M 3mm u I! Z/W M/ CYRUS MILNER, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT .IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,354, dated February 6, 1872; antedated January 26, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

1, (Evans MILNER, of Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented certain Improvements in \Vashing- Machines, of which the following is a specification:

My invention is an improvement of washingmachine patented July 14, 1808, No. 80,000; and consists in providing an adjustable and flexible concave float with removable slats, and operating the same by means of a frame, lever, and chains, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Hy drawing is a perspective view, showing a part of the side removed, and illustrating the several parts of my invention, and their relative positions, combinations, and operations.

A A is a wooden box of oblong form, with aconcave non-corrosive, sheet-metal bottom, and suitable legs to rest upon. The size and form of this box may be varied, as desired, and a movable cover fitted upon it to retain heat and steam. B is a common cog-wheel that meshes with the pinion on the shaft of the 001 rugated cylinder and operates the machine. D is the corrugated cylinder. E E is the adjustable concave float, with removable slats. a a a represent the removable slats, one of which is separated from the float. These slats are slotted at their ends in such amanner that they can be readily placed upon the metal strips composing the sides of the float and retainedthere. The float E E is made of metal strips, with eyes formed on their left ends and hooks at the right ends. By means of the eyes and pins or bolts they are pivoted to the insides of the box A A, and may be moved backward and forward in accordance with the series of holes provided for the pivots, and as may be required for the accommodation of large and small articles in the wash. The slats a a may be riveted or-otherwise permanently fastened from the left end to the middle of the float. On the remaining part of the float the slats are made removable by means of the slots in their ends or some equivalent device. This is necessary in order that bed-clothing and other large articles may be washed by the machine. By removing some of the slats atthe right end, large articles are allowed to spread and to be brought under the pressure and friction of the cylinder and float by degrees. My slotted float, with strips of non-corrosive sheet-metal sides, is elastic to some degree, and will, therefore, accommodate itself to the bulk between it and the corrugated cylinder. At the right end the float is suspended, by non-corrosive chains 1 2 or equivalents, to a frame-lever in such a manner that the float can be pressed against the cylinder at the will of the operator. By this means the rubbing and squeezing of the articles in the concave float are easilyregulated and alternated. G G is the frame-lever, supported by and pivoted to the uprigl'its b b. A trcadle may be attached at the left end, by means of which the lever and float can be operated. A weight may also be attached to assist the hand pressure required when there is no treadle for the foot of the operator.

By the use of these improvements I am enabled to adjust my machine so that it is equally well adapted for washing large or small articles.

I am aware that I employ common mechanism and that adjustable concave floats similar to mine are in use; but I claim that the construction of my float with the flexible side strips and the removable slotted slats, as combined with the chains and frame-lever and the cylinder and box, is new and useful.

Claim.

The flexible side strips, as described, in the adjustable float E E, combined with the slotted slats a, the chains 1 2, the frame-lever G G, the cylinder D, and the box A A, as set forth, and for the purposes specified.

CYRUS MILNER.

Witnesses:

S. G. MAYNARD, J. S. CLARK. 

